Council leader welcomes backing for £1.3bn Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart has today welcomed the publication of an independent review backing plans for a £1.3 billion tidal lagoon in the city.

Charles Hendry's independent report into the viability of the renewable energy technology is recommending the UK builds a world first lagoon to capture energy from the sea in Swansea Bay.

Former UK energy minister Mr Hendry has been gathering evidence for nearly a year for his independent government commissioned inquiry.

Cllr Stewart said: "We welcome Sir Charles' positive endorsement of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project, which he said is a 'no-regrets decision' for Government.

"As well as generating clean, green energy for hundreds of thousands of homes for over a century, the tidal lagoon will create thousands of long-term jobs for local people, benefit existing local businesses and lead to the development of a major new facility in SA1 where tidal lagoon components, research and technology will be exported across the world.

"Reducing the country's reliance on foreign energy and helping tackle Britain's energy deficit, this will be a ground-breaking new industry for the UK with roots right here in Swansea, helping further raise the city's global profile and attract even more investment in future.

"The construction of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon should begin as soon as practicable, as Sir Charles has recommended, so we'll continue to do all we can to get the project over the finish line.

"It's very heartening to hear how impressed he was with the level of support for the project, especially during a visit to Swansea. This is testament to Mark Shorrock, everyone at Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and both the public and private sector support that has led to this outcome.

"This is a game changing moment for Swansea because the tidal lagoon project has the power to improve lives and significantly boost the city's economic prosperity. This project, combined with the Swansea Bay City Region's City Deal bid to the UK Government, would be worth close to £3bn to the regional economy.

"I said when I took over as Leader two years ago that I'd create new partnerships to deliver major investment into Swansea, and we're now starting to reap the rewards of all the hard work that's been taking place behind the scenes for the benefit of Swansea residents.

"2017 was always going to be the year of delivery when the re-building of Swansea really gets started. We're still only two weeks into the New Year, so this announcement augurs well for the signing of the City Deal and significant progress for other major Swansea regeneration schemes in coming months.